"BEHOLD, the Bridegroom cometh,"
Oh! hear the midnight cry,
Awake! awake I why slumber?
The coming Lord is nigh.
Go forth again to meet Him,
And trim your lamps anew,
Oh! let your lights be burning,
He comes to call for you.
"Behold the Bridegroom cometh,"
The midnight watch is past,
In grace, He long has tarried,
But now He comes at last;
Awake! awake! behold Him!
"The bright and morning Star;"
He comes His saints to gather
From east, and west, afar.
"Behold the Bridegroom cometh,"
And darkest hours give place
To one long day of glory-
There to behold His face;
The songs which through the midnight,
Your hearts did often raise,
Shall find their full expression
In ceaseless bursts of praise.
" Behold the Bridegroom cometh,"
Oh, watch for His return;
Kept in His love and patience,
Each heart for Him Both burn;
"Behold I'm coming quickly,"
Finds thus an echoing chord,
(With longing, deep desire)
" E'en so, come Jesus, Lord."
" Behold the Bridegroom cometh,"
The morning streaks the sky,
Oh, haste thee to be ready,
The " shout" and "trump" are nigh;
Oh trim your lamps, ye virgins,
Your joys shall soon begin:
"Behold the Bridegroom cometh,"
The "wise" shall enter in.
April, 1832. G. W. F.